Promises

 

School lesson too discouraging – Ten men (spies) who discouraged the people from going forward in faith. Rather than trusting in the promises of God, they preferred the comfort of Egypt.

So God turned them back into the wilderness for fourty years with this indictment:

“They have disobeyed and tested Me too many times.” Numbers 14:23   They got what they wanted and sorrow therewith.

So I changed the content to next terms lessons, to include the great and precious promises given to those who follow the Lord:

God has said “I will never fail you, I will never forsake you.”  Hebrews 13.5

“If we confess our sins to HIM, He is faithful and just to forgive

us our sins.”  1 John 1

God showed how much He loves us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him”  1 John 4

“My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them Eternal Life and they will never perish.” John 10

Jesus said:  “In My Fathers house are many rooms. I am going to prepare a place for you… that where I am, there you may be also” John 14

Who would be so foolish as to ignore such promises of God’s grace!

And yet many do – with little hope in this life and none in the next.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Rejoicing

 

The special Bible verse for me this morning:

Written of Jesus Christ our Lord  -  

“ You love HIM even though you have never seen HIM. You trust HIM and even now you rejoice with glorious and inexpressible joy.

Your reward for trusting HIM will be the salvation of your souls.” 

1 Peter 1:8

10 Commands

 

At School we have been teaching the children the ten commandments. Is it relevant???

Yes it is!  - Many children have no sense of values except what they see on screens – TV, smart phones, I pad etc. Hence it is vital to establish the writing of the Lord God to guide their conscience. It also registers a sense of the holiness of God.

Yes it is!  - teaching about Jesus Christ dying for our sins is meaningless if people don’t know what sin is. Paul wrote: “apart from the law , sin lies dead” (Romans 7:8). Thus the law gives meaning to the Lord Jesus Christ dying as a sacrifice for sin.

Yes it is!  - The first commandment points heavenward – to worship the invisible, heaven residing God. He alone is worthy of our devotion and obedience.

Yes it is!  - The last commandment confirms the statement of

Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned” .  From Eve to the present, the sin of covetousness stains every mind.

Yes it is!  - God knows best how to order society. From the days of the week to marriage to loving our neighbour, His way is best.

Does it achieve salvation and eternal life – NO.

Only the LORD God gives eternal life as a gift through His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Law condems us, hence we need a sacrifice.

The Law exemplifies the Holy character  of God

Consciece

 

Activating conscience

The Lord Jesus used various ways to activate the conscience of the people.

1       Raising the standard. eg  “love your enemies”  Matthew 5

2      Referring to the day of judgement eg “They will be judged at the last day by the truth I have spoken”  John 12

3      Reflecting on self  eg “let those who  have never sinned throw the first stone.”  John 8

4      Repentance of sin.  eg “ Go and sin no more”  John 8

5      Remembering God’s law eg “ Moses will accuse you”  John 5

John 3:17

 “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”

This Bible verse does give eternal hope, but it does not overlook sin or judgement . It does mean that the Almighty God has chosen to first offer salvation to those who choose to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

For those who reject Jesus Christ the LORD, judgement will finally come because they have refused to believe the Gospel of salvation.

An awesome , gracious God.

   An inner voice of conscience.

     A promise of sins removed and eternal life given

      A day of final judgement.

I encourage you to read all the Bible, in particular the section written by John the Apostle. Let the words of Jesus create faith in your mind and heart.